New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly
today announced the capture and arrest of Curtis Barthrop, 46, who robbed or
attempted to rob 11 different banks in Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, between
July 9 and 19. After developing information about Barthrop's identity and
whereabouts, detectivesarrested him yesterday morning without incident at
his home at 227-17 145th Road in Rosedale, Queens.

During all 11 robbery
attempts, Barthrop passed a note to the teller demanding cash and claiming that
he had a gun. In five incidents he fled with cash - - a total of $3,993. In six
incidents he fled with nothing. Ontwo occasions, Barthrop committed three
robbery attempts within about an hour of each other.

Commissioner Kelly
said: "The Police Department has made 73 arrests for bank robbery so far this
year. But we still need the banking industry's help. Very few banks adhere to
all of the best practices to thwart robberies that were recommended by the
Department and adopted by New York BankersAssociation in May. Those who
adhere to best practices have had no bank robberies or relatively few. It is
time for all banks to adopt all of the best practices."